Melania Trump breaks her silence: “The winds of change have arrived”
Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (L) and former First Lady Melania Trump arrive to vote in the Florida primary at a polling place at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Florida, on March 19, 2024.
Giorgio Viera | Afp | Getty Images
Former first lady Melania Trump has broken her silence on her husband’s assassination attempt.
“When I saw the violent bullet strike my husband, Donald, I realized that my life and Barron’s life were on the verge of a devastating change,” Melania wrote, thanking the Secret Service for their protection.
“A monster who recognized my husband as an inhuman political machine tried to stir up Donald’s passion – his laughter, his ingenuity, his love of music and his inspiration,” she wrote.
“The essential aspects of my husband’s life – his human side – were buried under the political machine. Donald, the generous and caring man I was with through the best of times and the worst of times.”
It was a rare and emotional statement from the former first lady, who closely guards her privacy and has been noticeably absent from Trump’s political events since he left the White House in 2021.
Melania Trump sent her condolences to the families of the shooting victims. She also reflected more broadly on the divisive state of American politics and ended her statement on a note of encouragement.
“This morning, rise above the hate, vitriol and simplistic ideas that fuel violence,” he wrote. “The winds of change have arrived.”
— Rebecca Picciotto
Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego sends a letter to the director of the Secret Service
WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 14: Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., walks down the House steps after final votes of the week at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, September 14, 2023.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Ruben Gallego, Democrat from Arizona and candidate for Senate; sent a letter to US Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle following last night’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.
“This is a security failure of the highest level not seen since the assassination attempt on President Reagan,” Gallego wrote. “This cannot happen and I demand accountability.”
Gallego explained several questions he wants answered, such as who approved the security plan and whether the surrounding buildings were properly assessed for threats.
— Jake Piazza
White House: Biden-Trump phone call was ‘good, short and respectful’
Joe Biden and Donald Trump 2024.
Evelyn Hockstein | David Swanson | Reuters
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump spoke briefly by phone Saturday night in a rare one-on-one conversation.
A White House official described the call to NBC News as “good, short and respectful.”
It was the first time the candidates spoke to each other since their June 27 presidential debate.
Earlier that evening, Biden made brief remarks on camera in Delaware and condemned political violence before returning to Washington.
“There is no place in America for this kind of violence,” Biden said Saturday. “It’s sick. It’s sick.”
— Rebecca Picciotto
Mike Pence Says He’s Grateful For Trump’s Safety, Condemns Political Violence
Former U.S. Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate Mike Pence speaks during his campaign kickoff event at the Des Moines Area Community College FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa, on June 7, 2023.
Stephen Mature | Afp | Getty Images
Former Vice President Mike Pence said he and his wife “thank God” for Donald Trump’s safety and sent their condolences and support to the victims and their families.
He added a note of gratitude for the Secret Service’s “quick response,” which he added, “undoubtedly saved lives.”
“There is no place in America for political violence and it must be condemned worldwide,” he added.
Pence was one of several government officials targeted by gunmen during the deadly attack January 6 Attack on Capitol Hill, which he partly blamed on Trump for inciting.
— Rebecca Picciotto
Two victims remain in hospital, authorities say
A person is led away by state police from the stands after guns were fired at Republican candidate Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Butler Farm Show Inc. in Butler, Pennsylvania, July 13, 2024.
Rebecca Droke | Afp | Getty Images
More than 12 hours after the shooting, two victims remain in critical condition at a local hospital, authorities and a hospital spokesman said.
The names of the victims have not been released and it was unclear Sunday morning when officials would provide an update.
One of the rally attendees died at the scene, as did the gunman, who was killed by law enforcement.
— Jake Piazza
President Johnson slams campaign rhetoric: ‘We can’t go on like this’
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., holds a press conference at the Capitol Visitor Center following a meeting of the House Republican Conference on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson blamed inflammatory political rhetoric for the assassination attempt on Donald Trump on Saturday and reiterated that Congress is launching a full investigation into the incident.
“We can’t go on like this as a society,” Johnson said in an interview with NBC’s “TODAY.” “Everyone should reject the rhetoric.”
He pointed to President Joe Biden’s campaign rhetoric, including remarks on a private donor call in which Biden said, “It’s time to give Trump a thumbs up.”
“I know this [Biden] He didn’t mean what was implied there,” Johnson said, “but that kind of language from both sides should be heard.”
Congress plans to conduct a full investigation into the shooting, he said, to answer questions about any security gaps and “anything else the American people need to know.”
“Many more questions than answers this morning,” he added.
— Rebecca Picciotto
Trump says he’s ready to address the Republican National Convention
A Truth Social post by Republican former President of the United States Donald Trump, following a shooting attack during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Jaque Silva | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Donald Trump said in one Truly Social posted that he was looking forward to addressing the country at this week’s Republican National Convention in Wisconsin.
The former president also thanked the public for its support and sent condolences to the shooting victims and their families.
“We will not BE FEARED, but instead we will remain resilient in our faith and defiant in the face of evil. Our love goes out to the other victims and their families,” Trump wrote. “I truly love our country and I love all of you and I look forward to addressing our Great Nation this week from Wisconsin.”
The RNC is set to take place in Milwaukee Monday through Thursday.
Saturday’s assassination attempt on Trump will not change the structure of the RNC, a senior Republican official involved in the planning told NBC News on Sunday.
The official added that Trump’s shooting and survival could color the convention with more emotional tones, but that the fundamental plan would not change.
— Rebecca Picciotto
The Secret Service refutes claims that Trump did not receive additional security
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents on stage at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
Evan Vucci | AP
The Secret Service has dismissed rumors that it had refused Donald Trump’s requests for additional security resources.
Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the idea that Trump’s team asked for more security and was turned down “is absolutely false.”
“In fact, we have added protective resources, technology and capabilities as part of the campaign’s increased rate of travel,” Guglielmi wrote in a social media post.
To prepare for more travel and campaign events, Trump’s team has beefed up his Secret Service detail with more special agents and teams, an official told NBC News in May.
— Rebecca Picciotto
